Mask Mandate To Take Effect In Baltimore County This Week

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Face coverings will be required in all indoor spaces that serve the public in Baltimore County, except dining establishments, effective at 9 a.m. Thursday. People will also be strongly encouraged to wear masks outside when they cannot keep at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.

"This is a step that we should and must take here in Baltimore County," County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said. "We need to be covering our faces."

Baltimore County is nearing 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 500 deaths, according to the Maryland Department of Health, which reported 9,994 cases and 497 deaths in the county as of Tuesday morning. It has the third-highest case count among Maryland's 24 jurisdictions, behind Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

"Our data is beginning to show initial troubling signs," Baltimore County Health Officer Gregory Branch said at a news conference outside the Towson courthouse Tuesday afternoon along with the county executive.

About 49 percent of Baltimore County's coronavirus cases July 15-18 were among those 15 to 35 years old, Branch said, in alignment with national and statewide trends showing younger people were spreading the virus.

The positivity rate is also inching up, according to the health officer.

"Today it's at 5.9 percent," Branch said Tuesday. That is above the state's positivity rate, which is 4.49 percent. Health experts said the positivity rate should be below 5 percent for safe reopening. The positivity rate in Baltimore County has been above 5 percent since July 12, state data shows.

"The public health order that goes into effect this week is necessary to keep us from losing ground in our fight against the spread of COVID-19," Branch said.

Those who are at least 2 years old will be required to wear face coverings in retailers, recreational establishments, houses of worship and other indoor locations serving the public.

Masks will also be strongly encouraged in outdoor areas where at least 6 feet of distance is not possible.

"If you're hiking or on a trail, walking in your neighborhood or picnicking at a county park, you should have your mask with you and you should put it on if there are other people nearby," Olszewski said. "This is a small step we can all take."

The health advisory in Baltimore County supplements existing state orders that require masks in retail establishments and on public transit.

"It's a sign of respect," Olszewski said of wearing a mask. "It tells other people that we worship alongside or share an aisle with in a supermarket that we respect them as a fellow human."

Although the county has "focused on education before enforcement" when it comes to businesses, Olszewski said that may not continue to be the case.

"While the vast majority are doing their part, we will do whatever is necessary to protect the health and safety of our people,” Olszewski said.

The order gives the county's health officer authority to issue a warning, modify operations or immediately shut down any business or place of assembly that presents an immediate threat to public health or unreasonable risk of worsening the spread of COVID-19, county officials said.

Olszewski is also calling on Gov. Larry Hogan to walk back the state's allowance for restaurants to open for indoor dining.

While the governor has said he wants to give local jurisdictions flexibility in making their own modifications, Olszewski said people "will very likely travel" for indoor dining if they cannot do it in Baltimore County.

“I urge Governor Hogan to re-engage with local leaders so that we can work in partnership to take statewide action to protect public health and save lives," he said.

"Indoor dining is not currently safe," Olszewski said. "By its very nature, indoor dining and drinking is an activity where masks can't help prevent the spread of COVID-19." To dine indoors, he said, people have to have their masks off in spaces where ventilation may not be optimal.

"Gov. Hogan should limit establishments to outdoor dining, takeout and delivery," Olszewski said. "This is a public health imperative."

The Basics On Baltimore County's New Public Health Order

• The order takes effect at 9 a.m. Thursday in Baltimore County.
• It requires people 2 years old and up to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces that are open to the public.
• Exception: Masks do not need to be worn by those seated at food service establishments. Face coverings are still required when moving around a restaurant or bar.
• Exception: A face covering is not required by those who cannot wear it due to a medical condition, mental health condition or disability.

Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties have also issued orders requiring people to wear face coverings in their jurisdictions beyond the state's mandates.

Watch Olszewski's press conference here about the new mask advisory in Baltimore County.

Read Baltimore County's health order on face coverings below.

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See Also:

• MD Coronavirus Deaths, Hospitalizations Up: Hogan 'Watching'
• State Launches Mask-Wearing Campaign On Social Media
• Face Masks Mandatory In Montgomery Co; Health Order, Explained
• 4 Ways To Make Face Masks
• Anne Arundel County Requires Masks Outside